In another blow to the credibility of football's much-criticised rating system, the Three Lions' players will be further rewarded for their last eight exit from Euro 2012 by rising one more place from their current fourth spot, which was also mocked earlier.

According to the report, England's rise to the Three Lions' highest standing, since the FIFA system was launched in 199, will come because Uruguay are going to fall back a place.

"I know that these rankings are sometimes quite difficult to understand, due to the level and numbers of criteria that are taken into account," the Daily Mirror quoted FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, as saying.

"There are teams who are playing more friendly games than other teams and you can see a difference which is not very logical, but the ranking, I would say, is clearly still a good picture of the level of international football," he added.

It is expected that more scorn will be poured on the FIFA rankings, which will again see England being placed above Italy, the team that knocked them out of the Euros and went on to make the final, and Portugal, the team beaten by Spain in the euro 2012 semi final this summer. (ANI)